Mid-term Report Is In

SHANDEL RICHARDSON ON HIGH SCHOOLS

October 11, 2005|SHANDEL RICHARDSON ON HIGH SCHOOLS

Things got off to a slow start in the area the locals like to call "The Muck."

The Glades Central football team was probably the most unheralded in years because it was under new coach, Willie Snead, and featured so much youth. Then two-time defending Class 2B champion Pahokee lost the season-opener to King's Academy. As did 1A state-title hopeful Glades Day to Benjamin.

With the midseason point upon us, things are back to normal. Glades Central is undefeated, Pahokee is playing like a champion and Glades Day's loss to Benjamin seems like years ago. As they make pushes toward the playoffs, here is a quick look at how I see things with the postseason approaching:

Question: What teams have the best chance at state titles?

Answer: Well, one Dwyer assistant coach keeps reminding that I left the Panthers off this list in the preseason. The Panthers have been the best team in the county and have as good of shot as anyone, especially with the running back tandem of Antwain Wallace and Matt Speed. Glades Central and Pahokee also are hitting their strides heading into their annual showdown. The Raiders are young, but that hasn't been a factor. They played average against Dillard and still won easily. Pahokee proved it was back after a 35-0 win against Royal Palm Beach, which lost by one point to Dwyer. Other teams with a chance are Glades Day, Benjamin, Jupiter Christian, Palm Beach Lakes, Palm Beach Gardens and Atlantic.

Q: What teams have been the biggest disappointments?

A: With its tough schedule, no one expected Suncoast to be unbeaten at this point, but no one figured it would be 1-5, either. The Chargers have dealt with injuries to their best players -- Damien Berry and De'Andre Morgan -- and the firing of coach Jimmie Bell. Boca Raton also is a team that probably expected a better record.

Q: What team has made the greatest improvement?

A: John I. Leonard. If you saw them in the kickoff classic against Dwyer, you would understand why. The Lancers looked awful, but coach Brian Coe has them at 5-1 and looking at the playoffs.

Q: What's been the best individual performance so far?

A: Easy. Palm Beach Gardens senior Emanuel Cook's effort against Atlantic. He ran for 355 yards and five touchdowns against a team that was No.1 in the county at the time and had a defense yet to allow a point. Cook played the entire game on defense, too. The most impressive part was after the game he looked like he could have played four more quarters. Cook's game was by far better than anyone else's.

Q: Finally, who's the player of the year?

A: Not as easy as the previous question. Right now, I'd give the slight edge to Palm Beach Lakes senior Brandon Heath among large-schools players. Sure, there are others who have better statistics, but Heath has proven to be a difference-maker. He makes plays at receiver and defensive back when his team needs it the most. Cook, Speed and Atlantic's Preston Parker, the area's most versatile player, also could make late pushes. All have put up solid numbers and deserve consideration. Among small-schools players, Jupiter Christian running back Cedrick Epps has been the most dominant.